Velocipede.



G. G. GLBVBEDON.

` VELOGIPEDE.

A'non HLBD :Inu: 15

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

o. c. G'LBVERDON.

VELOGIPBDE.

Patenfued Dec. 29, 1908. 3 sHnBTs-SHEBT' 2.

6.' G. CLEVERDON.

VELOGIPDB. APPLIGATIOI; HLED JUKE' 16, 1908.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

3 SHEBTS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

CARL C. OLEVERDON, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHEFFELDCAB COMPANY, OF THREE RIVERS, MIQHIGAN.

VELOCIPEDE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL O. CLEVERDON, a Citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Grand Rapids, county of Kent, State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in velocipedes.

The main objects of this invention are:-

First, to provide an improved velocipede which is of light construction,and, at the same time, one which is very Strong and rigid. Second, toprovide an improved velocipede, the frame of which can be effectivelycollapsed or knoclred down for the urpose of storage or transportation.Thir to provide an improved velocipede which is economical in Structure,and, atV the same time, very desirable, and one which can be knockeddown or set up without the use of tools.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appearfrom the detailed description. to follow.

1 accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following Specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A Structure embodying the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of "Ly improved velocipede erected. Fig.2 is a similar view of my improved velocipede knocked down or collapsed.Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the wheel hub,showing` the arrangement of the wheel, axle and bearing therefor. Fig. 4is an enlarged detail showing the coupling for the cross bar 20 to oneof the seat supporting frames disconnected. Fig. 5 is an enlargeddetail, partially in section, of the couplinc' in its coupled position.Fig. 6 is an enlargeo. detail showing details of the comection for thebrace 18 and crossbar 20 to the rear Seat supporting frame.

In the drawing, similar numerals of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the Wheels 1 may be of any desiredconstruction. I provide a running-gear frame comprising front and rearaXle tubes 2 and 8, the rear axle tube having a yoke 4 interposedtherein to receive the sprocket 5 which is Secured to the axle. TheaXles 6 are arranged through these aXle tubes and are provided withsuitable ball bearings 7, the hubs 8 of the wheels, in the Structureillustrated, being rigidly secured or fixed to the aXle. The axle tubesare connected by horizontal bars 9, 9 and 10, the bars 9 being the Sidebars and the bar 10 being the central bar, which is preferably Securedto the yoke 4 of the rear aXlc tube. This frame is made rigid and ispreferably provided with diagonally-arranged braces 11. I thus secure arunning-gear frame.

which .is rigid and at the same. time very light.

mounted in a suitable bearing carried by the central bar 10, the crankbeing of the usual or any desired construction. The sprocket 12 isconnected to the aXle Sprocket 5 by means of a suitable chain, as 14. ItWill be noted that the driving mechanism is entirely carried by therunninggear frame. The collapsible Seat support comprises front and rearframes 15 and 16., respectively, which are Inounted on the aXle tubes,the aXle tubes being preferably. provided with upwardly projectinghinge. member 17, in which the lower ends of the members forming thefront and rear Seat Supporting frames are Secured by pivot bolts 17These pivots are preferablyin the form of bolts, so that the Seatsupporting frame can be readily removed, when desired. These front andrear Seat Supporting frames are preferably made up of three membersarranged to form a triangular frame, the aXle tubes forming the bases ofthe triangles. T o connect and brace these Seat Supporting frames, Iprovide a diagonally-arranged brace 18 which is connected at its lowerend to the front aXle tube, preferably by means of the universal joint19, the object of the universal joint being to allow the braoe to beSwung to one side, when the Structure is collapsed out of the Way of thesprocket wheels and crankS,-see Fig. 2..

The cross bar20 .is connected to the brace bar .1.8 by means of a pivot.21 vSo as to be. folded down thereon when the Structure is collapsed. lpreferably provide the brace member 18 and the cross bar 20 With jaw Thecrank 13 for the driving Sprocket 12 of, which, as is well linown, arethe only members 22 and 22', respectively, which are i adapted to coactfor engaging the rear Seat support frame, when the structure is erected,forming thereby an effective detachable connection. The details of thisconnection Will clearly appear from Fig. 6. rl^`he Seat is preferablymounted on the the rear end of the brace bar 18, the post 23 of the seatbeing adjustably Secured in a suitable socket provided therefor by meansof the bolt 241. When the brace bar 18 is disconnected from the frame16, it may be swung down onto the running-gear frame and the frame 16swung forward thereon. The cross bar 20 is detachably connected to thefront Seat support frame 15, preferably by the coupling illustrated inE'igs. 4 and 5, which consists of the coupling member 25 having a hole26 therein, adapted to receive the pin 27 on the cross bar wlien theparts are coupled together, as illustrated in lfig. 5. Above thecoupling member 25 is a Keeper 28 for the lociring dislr 29. Thislocking dislr is notched at 30 to receive the Keeper, and, after theparts are in position, the lociing dlsl: is tur-ned to take the notc'hout of iegister with the Keeper which ehectiv ely loclis thein inposition. By thus ari angmg and .comiecting the pai ts, it will beobvious tiiat they can be ieadily collapsed or erected. W hen it isdesii'ed to cohapse the Structure, the paits being Secured as illustiated iii Big. 1, the lochnig dish 29 is tuined to bring the notch Lil)theiein into register with the lreepei' and the cross bar litedri-ointhe couplinw' 25. lf'he cross bar 20 is then diopped down, whichieleases the jaws 22 and 142' fi oin the iear seat suppo.ting frame,ahowiiig tlie bar 18 to drop do'wnw'ardly onto the running-gear frame.As stated, the univ eisal Joint pei'iiiits its being swung to one sideto av oid the spiochet wheel and ciani. The rear Seat iiaihe is thenswung forward and the front Seat fiaine 15 is swung rearwardly, thepaits being coilapsed into a coinpact ioi'hi, as shown iii fiig. 2. ltWill be ob- Vious that the structuie may also be erected veiy quiciily.

T ne handle bars 31 are cai'ried by the front seat suppoiting frame.These handle bars are not iiitended, in the stiucture illustrated, forsteering purposes, but are designed merely as a support or rest ior therider. lt will be observed that this erecting or collapsing of tlieStructure does not, in any way, aifect or change the position of thedriving mechanism, which is always securely iiiounted in position on therunning-gear frame. This is of advantage in that it does not get it outof adjustment.

Dy the construction and arrangement of the frame and braces, trianglesare made use rigid or self-supportmg form of polygon. T ne parts are soconnected and arranged that it is unnecessary to provide any bent tubingseimas in the construction which enables the use of hard drawn tu bingwhich is not weakened by bending. The bearings for the wlieels are alsoof a desirable forin, as the aXles are of full size Where they enter andare secured to the hub, so that they are not likely to be bent in use.

l have illustrated and described my iniproved velocipede in detail inthe form prererred by me on account of structural simplicity and economyand convenience in collapsmg and erecting. l am aware, however, that itis capable oi' considerable variation in structural details withoutdeparting fiom my invention, and I desire to be understood as clainimgthe same specil'ically, as iliustrated, as well as broadly.

Having thus described my invention, wliat I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters f/atent is:

1. The combination with the wheels, of aXles; a running-gear framecomprising front and rear axle tu bes a plurality oi'horizontally-ari'anged connecting bars for said. axle tubes whereby theyare rigidly connected, one of said bars being centrally arranged asprocket wheel and ci'anlrs mounted on said central bar; a sproclretwheel for the rear axle; a connecting chainfor said spi'oclrets a Seatsupport comprismg fi ont and rear frames pivotahy mounted on said axletubes; a diagoi'ial brace bar pivotally connected to the front aXletube; a cioss bar pivoted on said brace bar; and means for detachablyconnecting the rear ends of said brace and cross bars to the rear frameand the forward end of said cioss bar to the fiont frame.

2. The combination witli the wheels, of axles; a running-gear framecomprising fi ont and rear aiile tubes; a plurality ofhorizontally-arranged connecting bars ioi' said axle tubes whereby theyare rigidly connected; a seat support comprising fiont and rear framespivotaiiy niounted on said aiile tubes; a diagonal bi'ace bar pivotallyconnected to the'fiont axle tube; a cioss bar pivoted on said brace bar;and meaiis for detachabiy connectmg the rear ends of said brace andcross bars to the rear frame and the forward end of said cioss bai` tothe fi ont frame.

3. The combination With the Wheels, of' axles; a runninggear framecoinprising fi ont and rear axle tubes a plurality oi'horirLontally-arranged connecting bars ior said axle tubes Whereby theyare rigidly connected, one of said bars being centi'ally ai'- ranged; asprocket wheel and cranlrs mounted on said central bar; a spiocket wheelfor the rear aiile a connecting chain for said spioclets a seat supportcomprising fi ont and rear frames pivotally inounted on said axle tubes;a diagonal brace bar connected to the front axle tube; a cross bar; andmeans for detachably connecting the rear ends of said brace and crossbars to the rear frame and the forward end of said cross bar to thefront frame.

4. The combination With the wheels. of aXles; a running-gear framecomprising front and rear aXle tubes; a plurality ofhorizontally-arranged connecting bars for said aXle tubes whereby theyare rigidly connected; a seat support comprising front and rear framespivotally mounted on said axle tubes; a diagonal brace bar connected tothe front aXle tube; a cross bar; and means for detachably lconnectingthe rear ends of said brace and cross bars to the rear frame and theforward end of said cross bar to the front frame.

5. The combination with the running-gear frame, of a seat supportIcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar pivotally connected at its lower end to thefront of the running-gear frame by a universal joint; a seat mounted onsaid brace bar; a cross bar pivoted on said brace bar and adapted, whenin its elevated position, to coact therewith in engaging the rear frame;means for detachably connecting the forward end of said cross bar to thefront frame; and a handle bar mounted on said front frame.,

6. The combination with the running-gear frame, of a seat supportcomprising` front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar connected at its lower end tothe front ofthe running-gear frame; a seat mounted on said brace bar; a cross barpivoted on said brace bar and adapted, when in its elevated position, tocoact therewith in engaging the rear frame; means for detachablyconnecting the forward end of said cross bar to the front frame; and ahandle bar mounted on said front frame.

7. The combination with the running-gear frame, of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar pivotally connected at its lower end to thefront of the running-gear frame by a universal joint; a seat mounted onsaid brace bar; a cross bar pivoted on said brace bar; means fordetachably connecting the upper end of said brace bar to said rear frameand the forward end of said cross bar to the front frame; and a handlebar mounted on said front frame.

8. The combination with the running-gear frame, of a seat sup lortcomprising,` front and rear frames pivotal T mounted on saidrunning-gear frame; a diagonal brace bar connected it its lower end tothe front of the running-gear frame; a seat mountedon said brace bar; across bar pivoted on said brace bar; means for detachably connectingIthe upper end of said brace bar to said rear frame and the forward endof said cross bar to the front frame; and a handle bar mounted on saidfront frame.

9. The combination with the running-gear frame. of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal bar pivotally connected at its lower end to therunninggear frame by a universal joint; a cross bar pivoted on saidbrace bar; and means for detachably connecting the upper end of saidbrace bar to one frame and the swinging` end of said cross bar to theother frame.

10. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar connected at its lower end to therunning-gear frame; a cross bar pivoted on said brace bar; and means fordetachably connecting` the upper end of said brace bar to one frame andthe swinging end of said cross bar to the other frame.

11. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar pivotally connected at its lower end to thefront of the running-gear frame; a cross bar pivoted on said brace bar,said brace and cross bars having` jaws thereon adapted to engage andconnect the same to the rear seat frame When in their erected position;means for detachably securing said cross bar to the front seat frame;and a seat carried by said diagonal brace bar.

12. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar pivotally connected at its lower end to thefront of the running-gear frame; a cross bar pivoted on said brace bar,said brace and cross bars having` jaws thereon adapted to engage andconnect the same to the rear seat frame when in their erected position;and means for detachably securing,` said cross bar to the front seatframe.

13. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar pivotally connected at its lower end to therunning-gear frame; a cross bar pivoted on said brace bar, said braceand cross bars having jaws thereon adapted to engage and connect thesame to one of said seat frames when in their erected position; andmeans for detachably securing said cross bar to the other of said seatframes.

14. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace pivotally connected at its lower end to therunning-gear frame and detachably connected at its upper end to one ofsaid seat frames; and a cross bar detachably connected to said front andrear seat frames.

15. The combination with the runninggear frame comprising front and rearaxle tubes; upWardly-projecting hinge members on said aXle tubes; a seatsupport compris'- ing triangular front and rear frames pivotally Securedto said hinge members by removable pintles, whereby they may be foldeddown upon the running-gear frame or removed therefrom; a diagonal bracebar pivotally connected to the front aXle tube by a universal joint; across bar pivotally mounted on the rear end of said diagonal bar andadapted to fold down thereon; and means for detachably connecting saidcross barto the front frame whereby the seat support may be collapsed onthe running-gear frame, and, when erected said diagonal bar forms atriangle with the rear seat support frame and running-gear frame andwith the said front seat support frame and said cross bar.

16. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising triangular front and rear frames pivotally secured to saidrunning-gear frame; a diagonal brace bar pivotally connected to therunninggear frame; a cross bar pivotally mounted on the rear end of saiddiagonal bar and adapted to fold down thereon; and means for detachablyconnecting said cross bar to the front frame whereby the seat supportmay be collapsed on the running-gear frame, and, when erected., saiddiagonal bar forms a triangle with the rearseat support frame andrunninggear frame and with the said front seat support frame and saidcross bar.

17. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising triangular front and rear frames pivotally mounted on saidrunning-gear frame, whereby they may be folded down thereon one upon theother; a diagonal brace bar pivotally connected to the running-gearframe and detachably connected to one of said seat support frames; and across bar detachably connected to said seat support frames, whereby,when the seat support is erected, said diagonal bar forms a trianglewith one of said seat support frames and the running-gear frame and withthe other of said seat support frames and with said cross bar.

18. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising triangular front and rear frames mounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar connected to the running-gear frame and toone of said. seat support frames; and a cross bar connected to said seatsupport frames, whereby said diagonal bar forms a triangle with one ofsaid seat support frames and the running-gear frame and with the otherof said seat support frames and with said cross bar.

19. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising front and rear frames pivotally lnounted on said running-gearframe; a diagonal brace bar pivoted at its lower end to said runninggearframe; a cross bar pivoted on said brace bar adapted to coact therewithin engaging one of the seat frames, said cross bar being` provided Witha downwardly-projecting pin at its swinging end; a coupling member onthe other seat frame adapted to receive the end of said cross bar andhaving a hole therein to receive the said pin on said cross bar; akeeper on said coupling member, the end of said cross bar being notchedto receive said keeper; and a notched looking disk on said cross baradapted to be adjusted to bring the notch therein into or out ofregister with said keeper.

20. rThe combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat supportcomprising` front and rear frames pivotally mounted on said running-gearframe; a cross bar provided With a downwardly-proecting pin at one end;a coupling member on one of said seat frames adapted to receive the endof said cross bar and having a hole therein to receive the said pin onsaid cross bar; a keeper on said coupling member, the end of said crossbar being notched to receive said keeper; and a notched looking disl onsaid cross bar adapted to be adjusted to bring the notch therein into orout of register with said leeper.

21. rThe combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat support frameformed of detachably connected members pivotally mounted on saidrunning-gear frame, the members of said seat support frame beingarranged on their pivot to be swung down to fold said seat supportingframe upon the running-gear frame.

22. The combination with the runninggear frame, of a seat support frameconsisting of members pivotally mounted on said running-gear frame, themembers of said seat support frame being adapted to be swung down ontheir pivots upon the running gear frame.

In witness whereof, have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two wit nesses.

